SRINAGAR: The Forest Department has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against seven residents of Mamer Kangan, Ganderbal for assaulting forest officials during a plantation project. According to the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Sindh Forest Division, "The incident occurred in compartment 69 of the Sindh Range, where the forest team was carrying out plantation work on an 08-hectare forest land."
This project, funded by the Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), was approved by the Regional Office of the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change in 2022 as compensation for forest land diverted for the Thune to Badipathri road. Work commenced in early February, but was disrupted by the accused, who allegedly instigated villagers to attack the forest team with stones and sticks.
The accused have been booked under sections 115(2) and 132 of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita, pertaining to provoking individuals to causing harm and assaulting government employees performing their duties. DFO Sindh Forest Division emphasized the importance of the project for environmental balance and appealed to local residents for cooperation and constructive dialogue to ensure its peaceful completion.
